BACK HOME SAFE AND SOUND

As you can see Ludo is pleased to be back home and was swimming in the sea only an hour after our return.
Whilst we were away we had the plumber and builders in so you can imagine what my first job was. Actually it wasn't too bad but then they haven't finished it all, so more mess to come on Monday.
The fairs were good but the weather was dreadful at times. The marquee we stood in at Swinderby flooded right in front of us and I stood watching the water getting closer and closer to the stall. Just in time the rain stopped and the sun came out making it very hot and steamy. Typical English weather. It was rather sad to be leaving the Swinderby showground, end of an era. Unfortunately we can't go to the new fair at Lincolnshire showground as we discovered that they don't allow dogs in the new building. We will still be going to Newark of course in October and it will be good to be taking fresh stock that hasn't been seen before.

I was so delighted to see so many of my website customers at the fairs. Thank you so much for coming along and having a chat. I can now put faces to names. I'd also like to thank you all for all of your purchases.

The new venture of keeping the website on-line whilst away worked extremely well with no problems at all. I got a good connection and no items were sold twice thank goodness. In future I will keep the website open whilst away.

Due to feeling very tired and having to sort out the house after the alterations, I will not be listing new items this coming week but will begin in earnest on the 17th August. I bought so very well at the fairs , four banana boxes full, so there will be lots of treasure to look through including, great French fabrics, trims and haberdashery plus wonderful bridal headdresses and other sewing related vintage goods.

All orders placed last week will be posted on Monday and I will be back now to posting the day after orders have been placed.

Thank you all for your wonderful support.

RAG RESCUE GOES ON THE ROAD

Next week the Rag Rescue shop will not only be virtual but be available in reality as we travel to the Arthur Swallow Antique and Home Show at Swinderby Lincolnshire and then Newark International Antique Fair in Nottinghamshire.

Armed with my laptop and my new 'Pay as you go' internet connection I will be able to keep the internet shop open whilst on the road.
This will be a new experience for me and no doubt will encounter some minor problems along the way mainly because I will be unable to be on-line all day.
All sales from the internet will be placed on hold as normal and I will check my emails hourly whenever possible.
I can only really see two problems which may or may not occur.
Problem 1 - If an order is place on the internet at a time when I am off-line at the fair, an item ordered may be sold to a fair customer.
Solution 1 - As soon as I discover this I will email you and if payment was made by paypal send a refund.

Problem 2 - No internet connection. I don't see why this should happen as my connection will be through Vodaphone which goes through the mobile phone system. I know people who have used the internet at the fairs.

Solution 2 - I have made arrangements with a friend, if this should occur to stop all internet sales until such time as I can get connected. A message will be posted on the home page.

Hopefully this problems will not occur and everything will run smoothly. If you are concerned then the best time will be to order after 6pm when the fair is closed and I can get your orders off the stall first thing in the morning before the customers arrive.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ORDERS PLACED AFTER 12 MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (Friday 31st July) WILL BE POSTED ON MONDAY 10th AUGUST.

Of course I would love to see you at the fairs, so if you are intending to visit you will find us in the following places.

Tuesday, Wednesday 4th/5th August
Arthur Swallow International Antique and Home Show - Swinderby
Tent Town - Marquee B at the far end central aisle. Stalls B35-36

Thursday and Friday 6th/7th August
IACF Antique Fair Newark showground
Sir George Stephenson building furniture pitch at the far end in front of the massive up and over door - Stall F38

If you do visit either of these stalls bring along some stout walking shoes as the fairs are massive over 3000 stalls at each fair.